National Australia Bank

In 1906 the Upper Irwin Road Board account was transferred from the West Australian Bank at Dongara to a newly formed branch of the National Bank in Mingenew. By 1908 a weatherboard and iron building with residence attached, was erected in Railway Parade (Midlands Road). A bank teller at one time was known to stand in a tub of water behind the counter to keep cool. In the early days the ledger desk was set 10 inches above the floor level to observe the customers and assist in case of any holdups. Pistols were issued to most senior staff. A brick frontage to the bank, extending back to the strong room, was added in 1935 and the tin roof replaced with tiles 1985. 1965 a new bank manager’s residence was erected in Phillip street and the original residence demolished. The bank formally closed September 2018 after service had reduced to 2 days per week in recent years.